If anyone thought the Devils would be content to simply tread water until Martin Brodeur returns from surgery and his injured teammates get healthy, seven wins in their past eight games indicate that the team feels otherwise.

“Our expectations never changed,” John Madden said after practice yesterday. “Nothing’s changed. People looked at this team and asked if we were tough enough to get through a period like this. It just reinforced and confirmed that we’re a good team.”

They’ll get to show that again tomorrow night against the second-place Penguins. After five straight games on the road, the next three will come in Newark.

“We have to stay focused,” coach Brent Sutter said. “It’s important to guard against taking a step back now. We have to keep our foot on the gas pedal.”

The coach added that winger Mike Rupp, who was scratched for Saturday’s game in Montreal, hasn’t been ruled out for tomorrow night, but that as more players recover from injuries, spots will be harder to come by.

“I thought he practiced well,” Sutter said.

Rupp, who had said he was “ticked off” by the benching, said yesterday that his confidence was not shaken.

“I just want the chance to get back in,” Rupp said. “I know what I can do and think I’ve shown I can help out in different areas. It gives me more of a chip on my shoulder.”